Marañon: Mayor liable for issuing permits to NNNP’s encroachers

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said Mayor Jose Max Ortiz of Salvador Benedicto town would be liable for allowing the construction of illegal structures encroaching into the protected zone of the Northern Negros Natural Park in that town.

These structures should be demolished, said the governor, adding that Ortiz should be held accountable for these because the mayor was the one issued permits for them.

Earlier, the Department of Environment of Natural Resources issued another cease and desist orders to six persons for allegedly constructing structures illegally at the NNNP.

The DENR last year also served cease and desist orders to 91 owners of illegal structures there, mostly prominent personalities, including Ortiz himself and Murcia town Mayor Andrew Montelibano.

Marañon, when pressed that Ortiz was reportedly against the orders, claimed “he (Ortiz) may be protecting someone.” The governor said town officials will be held liable for allowing its construction, and will be held liable also for not complying with the CDOs, which only the DENR national office can supercede.

Town residents early this week held protest actions against the CDOs after 43 restaurant workers were affected due to the stoppage of the construction of one of the structures there.  (FREEMAN)